New Mexican Chile Peppers Cooking Guide

Tips on how to shop for and cook New Mexican chile peppers.

Fresh and dried chiles vary widely in spiciness depending on variety and seasonality. Smaller varieties are generally hotter. What makes chiles hot, capsaicin, is found in the inner membrane and seeds. Our shopping and cooking tips for chiles will help you add flavor and spice to your favorite savory recipes.

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Fresh Green Chiles

Fresh New Mexican chiles, often labeled Anaheim, are available in the produce department of many supermarkets. Usually roasted and peeled before they’re eaten, fresh green New Mexican chiles have a floral, grassy flavor. Depending on where you live, you may find them already roasted in the freezer or refrigerated section of supermarkets or Latin markets. You can also use canned green chiles, available in the Mexican section of most supermarkets. Or you can roast and peel them yourself.